SHARING BIPOLAR.com

Living with bipolar disorder is a challenge, and dating someone with this illness is a challenge as well. If your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife is a manic-depressive, here is a guide to help you and your partner build and maintain a healthy relationship.

Step 1

First, learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder. Understand its origins as an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, and how an imbalance of these important chemicals can manifest as unstable moods.

Step 2

Learn to recognise when your boyfriend or girlfriend is in a low period. The depressive phase of bipolarity is characterised by a general loss of interest in regular activities. There can also be decreased sexual appetite, irritability, or physical fatigue.

Step 3

Be patient and understanding with your partner when he or she is going through a depressive phase in the bipolar cycle. If he or she has prescribed medication, make certain the medicine is taken on schedule. Be kind and affectionate, even if your gestures are ignored, and remember that the phase is temporary. Keep in mind that sunlight and vitamin D can alleviate symptoms of depression.

Step 4

Learn to recognise when your boyfriend of girlfriend is in a high period. The manic phase is characterised by intensity of emotions and sensory experiences. Some bipolar people feel like they can do anything they set their minds to, no matter how impractical or dangerous. Your partner may experience increased libido, impatience, sleeplessness, creativity, or forgetfulness.

Step 5

Monitor your boyfriend or girlfriend closely during a high to ensure that risk-taking behavior does not get out of control. Your partner may be much more adventurous and fun during a high, but realise that it will not last.

Step 6

Although bipolar people cannot control their moods and emotions, they can still control their actions. You should not tolerate abuse, cheating, or illicit drug use from anyone, no matter the excuse. You should neither be guilted into staying in a relationship that is damaging to you. Take care of yourself first.

Step 7

Decide if you can handle your partner’s bipolarity long term. If your partner controls his/her bipolar disorder well and puts little burden on you, then you can probably sustain in the long run.

One of Walford’s most loved characters, Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner), is set to face her toughest challenge yet as she comes to terms with the prospect that she suffers from bipolar disorder, the same condition that her mother Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) has had for many years.

EastEnders on BBC One has worked closely with various charities including Mind and MDF The BiPolar Organisation (Manic Depression Fellowship), on researching this storyline to accurately reflect the issue.

Viewers have recently seen Stacey struggling to come to terms with the death of her friend Danielle and since then her life has been continuing on a downward spiral but, over the next few weeks, viewers will see her mum, Jean, try to persuade her to seek medical attention. However, a fearful Stacey is adamant that there is nothing wrong and tries to carry on as usual. Read the rest of this entry »

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Bipolar disorder is not a condition that is generally considered to have direct nutritional considerations, like diabetes or heart disease. However, recent research has found that omega 3 fatty acids may lessen the symptoms of bipolar disorder. While research is still ongoing, studies have found that they lessen stress and aid in focusing.

Antidepressants and Weight Gain

There are special dietary requirements for people who take many of the medications used to treat bipolar disorder. Weight gain is a potential side effect of nearly all antidepressant medications. However it is not clear whether the weight gain is a direct effect of the drug or of the state of depression. Still, weight control should be a consideration for people who are being treated with antidepressants.
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Akmal Shaikh was executed at 10.30am local time on December 29 2009 in Urumqi, China.

Sharing Bipolar.com is appalled that China killed Akmal despite his severe mental illness and vulnerability. Akmal’s tragic death is a shocking failure of the Chinese legal system.

About Akmal Shaikh

A British small business owner from North London, Akmal was married with five children.

Akmal had a lifelong history of very strange behaviour, and he suffered from an extremely serious mental condition. A preliminary medical report by clinical psychologist Dr Peter Schaapveld suggests that the odd decisions leading up to Akmal’s offence were most likely influenced by some form of delusional psychosis.
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